December 16, 2024 — Update: Google reinstated PocketBible within a couple days of our re-complying with their re-request for information we had already provided.
December 9, 2024 — We were informed this morning by Google that they’ve removed PocketBible from the Play store, claiming we haven’t verified our identity. Never mind that we’ve had products in the Play Store for over a decade.
They’ve been asking us to jump through some verification hoops every couple of weeks for the last three or four months. Every time they ask, we jump through their hoop. Now they claim that there was no hoop and even if there were, we didn’t jump. So they’ve removed the app from the Play Store.
Fortunately, we keep our feathers numbered for just such an emergency. You can sideload PocketBible to your Android device without going through Google Play by following the instructions here.
In the meantime, we’ve submitted our verification information to Google yet again. Let’s see if it sticks this time.
Android? Is that thing still going?
LOL yes.
Yes, and the PB app definitely needs some updating. However, Windows does provide Phone Link. It will run Android apps right on your Windows display. So I can access my PB app without touching the phone. (Windows 11 will also do iPhone, but I do not have access to a device new enough for it to work and I do not think will do iPad.) It is the way I get my sermon notes into my PB Journal for preaching from my iPad. I actually came to the blog looking for the Windows PB update. Then I ran across this update, but I see the original post shows December 9. I check this blog every few days. Not sure why I did not see the post until the update to the post.
I’ll be glad when this post is topped by a Windows Progress Update #20
I’ve used pocket bible for years. I’ve recently purchased a new handheld and tablet. I am having trouble transferring from old handheld and new tablet???
Contact tech support at support@laridian.com
FYI: this is not a complaint, just so you know: In my circle of friends, I’m often asked to do tech support on Android phones, so I recently bought a 17″ ChromeOS laptop by Acer, due mostly to frustration with MS Windows 11 (on which both versions of Pocket Bible work flawlessly), and also due to failing eyesight, so now on Chrome OS, I’m getting pop-ups saying your product is “not responding” and would I like to close the app or wait every time I switch apps. Yet I also use the Android version of PB on both a Samsung Ultra phone and a Motorola Edge 2025, and I never have a problem on those Android devices when PB is in the background. I’ve figured out a solution and want your opinion: Should I switch back to WARP OS3 or VAX VMS and tell my friends they are the only operating systems I now support? ;->
Sorry for the long-winded joke, the point of which is to say thank you, Craig, for all your years of dedicated service to the Lord and his body of believers. We understand how hard your journey has been through these many years, but soon you’ll get your reward for your faithfulness. May God reward and help you in your senior years!